Control apparatus



March 17, 1942. A, T JOZE 2,276,493

CONTROFAPPARATUS VFiled NOV. 19, 1937 5 Sheets-Sheet l March 17, 1942.

A. T. JozE CONTROL "APPARATUS Filed Nov. 19, 1937 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 lll';S

March 17, 1942. A. T. JozE y2,276,493

CONTROL-:APPARATUS Filed Nov. 19, 1937 5 sheets-sheet s Patented Mar.17, 1942 Alien T. Joze, Chicago, Ill., assigner to James E. Johnson,Chicago, Ill.

Application November 19, 1937, Serial No. 175,362

(Cl. 1524-9)l 9 Claims.

This invention relates to amusement devices and has more particularreference to control apparatus of the token or coin controlled type forcontrolling amusement or vending machines, games, and the like.

An object of the invention is the provision of a novel and an improvedcontrol apparatus of the coin controlled type.

Another object of the invention is the provision of a multi-coincontrolled apparatus adapted to receive one or more tokens or coins of aparticular denomination and adapted to selectively control a pluralityof amusement, game, or vending units determined by the number ofreceived tokens or coins.

It will be understood that some games and vending, as well as amusement,machines include a plurality of playing, amusement dispensing, andarticle dispensing units which are selectively operable in the case ofsuch a vending maf chine, for example, to dispense, for instance,different brands of candy, chewing gum, or other articles. The novelcontrol apparatus is adapted to control such units and, of course, mayhave other uses.

A further object of the invention is the provision of such controlapparatus which may be readily adapted for control by tokens or coins ofdifferent denominations.

Another object of the invention is the provirmore tokens or coins, orsome tokens and some coins, are receivable therein to govern theselective control action and wherein the accepted coins areautomatically separated from the accepted tokens.

Another object of the invention is to provide a plurality of token orcoin chutes in such control apparatus with means for rendering aplurality of the last tokens or coins inserted in each chute visiblefrom outside of the apparatus.

A further object of the invention is to provide a plurality of token orcoin receiving chutes in such novel control apparatus adapted to receivetokens or coins of substantially the same size or denomination and toassociate token or coin operable means with each such chute respectivelyoperable by each token or coin received in the chutes.

Other objects of the invention, including the novel arrangements andcombinations `of ele--` ments, will become apparent from the followingdescription of a preferred embodiment of the invention las illustratedin the accompanying drawings wherein the same reference characters areemployed to designate similar parts throughout the several views and inwhich:

Fig. 1 is an end elevation of a portion ofa control apparatus of thecoin controlled type embodying the features of the invention, theillustrated control apparatus being shown in its initial or normalposition;

Fig. 2 is a fragmentary end elevation partially in cross section of thecontrol apparatus showing the means for preventing its operation withoutat least one token or coin;

Fig. 3 is a partial plan View of the handling apparatus shown in Fig. l;

Fig. 4 is an end elevation similar to that shown in Fig. l, but showingthe relation of certain parts in an operated position;

Fig. 5 is a fragmentary end elevation of theA control apparatus showingthe means for vpreventing operation of the control apparatus duringnovel cointhe operating cycle of a machine controlled hyl the controlapparatus;

Fig. 6 is a partial cross section taken substantially along the lines6-6 of Fig. 3 and shows the position of the various parts upon theinsertion of a token or coin, but before operation of the controlapparatus; Fig. 7 is a partial plan section taken substantially alongthe lines 1-1 of Fig. 6;

Fig. 8 is a fragmentary cross section taken substantially along thelines 8 8 of Fig.'6;

Fig. 9 is a transverse cross section of a `portion of the controlapparatus taken substantially along the lines 9 9 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 10 is a cross section similar to that shown in Fig. 6, but showingthe relationship of the parts during the operation of the novel -controlapparatus;

Fig. 11 isa vcross sectional detail taken substantially along the linesll-H of Fig. 10;v

Fig. 12 is a cross sectional detail taken substantially along the linesI2-l2of Fig. 10; f

Fig. 13 is a fragmentary perspective view of one lform of fraudresisting means employed in the novel control apparatus; and

Fig. 14 is a perspective view of one member for holding a plurality ofthe last tokens or coins in' View within one of the token or coinchutes.

To aid in clearly understanding the invention, it might be well, beforeproceeding with a de-l tailed description of an embodiment thereof, todescribe briey the operation of the illustrated control apparatus. Oneor more tokens or coins, or some of each, are inserted in a desired oneor plurality of coin receivers, one token or coin being inserted in eachof the desired receivers. The coin receivers are movable by manuallyoperable means common to all of them when a token or coin is in any oneor more of them, into respective registration with open ends of aplurality of tokens or coin chutes, the forward ends of which arecovered with a transparent sheet material for rendering coins or tokenstherein visible from outside of the control apparatus.

In that position of the coin receiver,4 the token or coin in eachreceiver is released and is deposited in the corresponding coin chutewhere it co-acts with switch operating means for'selectively operating aplurality of electrical switches ,corresponding in number to the numberof coin chutesgand thereafter the token or` coin in each chute ispositively moved or driven along the chute va distance substantiallyequal to the diameterof the coin. Such driving of the last token orcoininserted in any chute may be utilized to progress a series of tokens orcoins preceding the last deposited token or coin along the chute and outof its outlet end.

It will be understood that the selectively operable switches justreferred to above may be respectively connected in electrical operatingcircuits of, for example, the vending units of a vending machine, sothat the operation of the switches or any of them will -cause theoperation of the corresponding vending unit or units. After such unit orunits `have been thus selected and operated, another token or;coin, or a-plurality of either or both of them, may be employed to permitsubsequent operation of the `control apparatus. To facilitate countingthe revenue collected, the apparatus isprovided with means at the outletends of the coin chutes for separating the tokens from the coins in eachchute. In order to resist or discourage fraudulent attempts to operatethe control apparatus, it is provided with means which not only requiresat least one token or coin to control the operation, but it alsorequires that the token or coin employed be of a predetermined size ordenomination and thickness, and where magnetic slugs are employed in anattempt to defraud the apparatus, even though they be of the proper sizeand thickness, they will be separated from acceptable tokens and coinsand returned to an accessible position outside of the apparatus withoutoperating the electrical switches for controlling the vending units justreferred to above.

Illustrative of the invention, a suitable frame is employed for carryingthe various means ineluded in the novel control apparatus in operativerelationship. Such a frame comprises a pair of frame members II and I2having upstanding portions I3 and I4 and forwardly extending lowerportions I5 and I5 with downwardly and forwardly inclined upper ends.Each of those frame members is provided in its upper end with anelongatedslot I'I; laterally rearwardly of the forwardly extendingportion I5, I5, with an aperture i8 having at its upper forward end aslot I9 communicating therewith; and intermediate the slot I'I and theaperture I8 with an arcuate Iaperture 2I..

Those frame members II and I2 are held in spaced relationship byconnecting members 22, 23,24, and 25.- The connecting member 22 spansbetween the upright frame members, is removably secured as at 28 on theupper forward ends of the portions I3 and I4, and is provided with aseries of apertures 21 spaced longitudinally of the connecting member`and each adapted to receive one token or coin at a time therein.

The connecting member 23 is secured at its opposite ends to the forwardsides of the frame portions I3 and I4 near the upper ends thereof. Theconnecting member 24 is suitably secured at its opposite ends to theforward ends of the lower frame portions I5 and I6. And the connectingmember 25 is secured on supporting member 28 (Fig. 6) arranged atsuitable inclinations on the inner faces of the forwardly extendinglower frame portions I5 and I6 to support the member 25 at aninclination corresponding generally to that of the upper ends of theportions I5 and I6.

That connecting member 25 serves as a portion of a plurality of token orcoin chutes 29 corresponding in number and spacing to the number andspacing of the coin receiving apertures 2'I. For that purpose the member25 is adapted to extend from `adjacent the upper side of the connectingmember 23 rearwardly at an upward inclination beyond the frame member 23and to curve upwardly as at 3| kat its inner or rear side. In spacedrelation between the frame members I I and I2 a plurality of partitions32 are provided on the upper surface of the curved frame member 25 andextend ltransversely thereof.

Along the upper face of each such partition 32 an elongated metal strip33 of greater width than the partition, and having along its sidemargins a plurality of downwardly extending resilient tabs or membersSi, is secured in such a manner that the tabs 34 extend into the coinchutes 29 at opposite sides of the supporting partition for frictionallyengaging the coins or tokens as they pass along the chutes. The chutes29 are covered by a sheet 35 of glass or other transparent materialwhich is suitably secured to the partitions 32 by the same meansemployed for securing the strips 33 thereon and exemplified at 36 inFigs. 3 and 10. It will be seen by reference to Figs. 6 and 10, that thecoin chutes 29 are provided with upright open upper ends 3'1 rearwardlyof the frame member 23 and incline downwardly and forwardly therefrom inside-by-side relationship to positions between the frame portions I5'and I6. Thus tokens or coins in any and all of the coin chutes arevisible through the glazed sheet 35 from outside the coin controlapparatus.

At its curving portion 3l the connecting member 25 is provided with aplurality of elongated apertures 38, each comfmunicating'with andextending longitudinally of one of the coin chutes 29 to adapt-theconnecting member for cooperation with means for positively moving ordriving coins and tokens-forwardly in the coin chutes toward means forseparating the coins from the tokens at the forward ends of the chutes.The means for moving or driving the coins and tokens forwardly in thechutes, as illustrated in Figs. 6 and 10, comprises a plate 39reciprocably sup` ported in suitable guides 43 under the coin chutes 29and having a plurality of elongated apertures 4I therein and a pluralityof upstanding lugs or ngers 42 struck up from the plate respectivelyadjacent the apertures 4I, as shown in Fig. 12.

Those lugs 32 are spaced along the plate in alignment with therespective apertures 38, and each lug 42 is movable through the 4alignedaperture 38 into and out of the corresponding coin chute each time theplate 39 is reciprocated.

The plate. 3.8.. has mounted in spaced relation at; its rear or innerend. a pair of rollers 43. Those rollers. are adapted to cooperate witha pair of cam arms 4 4, each having cam surfaces` 45 and 45. at itsopposite ends which cooperate with suitable sprngs'l to reciprocate theplate 39'. The. cam ar-ms lili` are .fixed intermediate their ends inspaced relation on a shaft 48 journaled intermediate its ends in theframe members I and 2 rearwardly of the open upper ends 37. of thecoinchutes. The shaft 4.8 is a part of the operating means of the novelcontrol apparatus, as will presently be described and is rotatablethereby in one direction to cause the cam. surfaces 45 to engage therollers 43 for moving the. lugs 42 into the respective coin chutesthrough the apertures 38. The springs 41 are adapted to return the plate39 to its initial position with the lugs rearwardly and outside of thecoin chutes and in so returning the plate 39 to drive the shaft 8in theopposite direction toward. its initial position. The cam surfaces 45 areso shaped thatthe forward movement of the lugs 42 resulting from theoperation of the cam arms is sulicientto cause each lug to engage atoken or coin at the curving portion 3| of the corresponding coin chuteand to move the engaged token or coin, together with successivelyengaged tokens and/or coins forwardly thereof in the same coin chute,toward. the forward end of the coin chute a distance substantially equalto the diameter of the coin.

It will be understood` that the resilient tabs 35 cooperatewith thebottoms of the coin chutes to slidably support a series of adjacenttokens and/or coins in each chute; thus when a coin is moved in any coinchute, as just described, it will move the series of tokens or coinsforwardly in that chute a distance substantially equal to the diameterof the coin. Tokens corresponding to the denomination of the coin forwhich the novel control apparatus is designed, are usually of slightlysmaller diameter than the coins. To facilitate counting the returnscollected by the novel control device it is desirable to separate suchtokens from the coins.

To that end, the forward end of the connecting member 25 is providedwith an arcuate slot 49 at the. forward end of each of the coin chutes29, which extends rearwardly of the connecting member 24. On theconnecting member 25 a removable strip is mounted by the securing means36 at one side of each slot 49. Each strip 5| hasan edge 52 spaced fromthe opposite edge of each slot 49, and a beveled margin 53 extendinginto the next succeeding coin chute. The beveled margin 53 of each strip5| cooperates with the edge 52 of the next succeeding strip and themargin of the connecting member at the corresponding side of the slot 49to provide coin supporting guides which are spaced apart to slidablysupport coins of the proper denomination,but at a distance greater thanthe diarnet-er of the tokens to be separated. Thus coins are movablealong the coin chutes and the coin supporting guides forwardly beyondthe connecting member 24, whence they may gravitate into a suitablereceptacle not shown. The smaller tokens drop downwardly between thebeveled margins 53 and the respectively opposite sides of the slots andthrough those slots of the coin chutes rearwardly of the connectingmember 25 and into a suitable receptacle not shown.

The cam surfaces 48 of the cam arms i5 are adapted to cooperate withtoken or coin operable be employed to selectively control, for example,av plurality of vending or amusement units in a vending or amusementmachine. Such switch means, asv illustrated-in Figs. 3, 6, and 10,.comprises a group of electrical conductor strips 54 of resilientmaterial for each. coin chute 29, and is mounted on a rockable plate 55.The rockable plate 55,. is so pivoted at its' opposite. ends to theinner faces=of the frame members and |2 by pivot screws or pins-55 that'the forward ends of the groups of strips 54 extend under the respectivechutes 29. At one end the strips 54 of each groupare insulated, as at51, from one another f and are suitably secured to the plate. At theirforward ends the strips'of each group carry electrical contact pairs 58.It will be understoodv that the groups of `electrical contacts areconnectible by suitable conductors 5.9 in the operating circuits of thevending or amusement units or other units to be selectively controlledby the control apparatus of the invention.

For operating the switch means the rockable plate 55 carries a pair ofrollers 5| forwardly of the pivot pins 55. Those rollers cooperate withthe cam surfaces 4.5 of the cam arms ,44 to eiTect` swinging movement ofthe plate clockwise, as viewed in Fig. l0 while springs 62 swing theplate in opposite direction (when released by latching means laterdescribed) whereby the plate 55 is oscillated about its pivot to movethe groups ofr contact-carrying strips 54 to and from positions at whichthey are operable by coins in the curving portions 5| of'therespectively corresponding chutes 29. The coin operable means foroperating the switch means comprises a plurality of switch operatingpins or members 63. Each such p-in 63 is slidably arranged at one end ina hole in the plate 55 and at its opposite end in an apertured bushing54. One such bushing 64 is secured in the connecting member 25 at oneside of the path of each lug 421 and depends from the member 25 into thecorresponding elongated aperture 4| of the plate 39, as shown in Fig.12.

The pins 53 are provided at their lower ends, between the plate 55 andthe respective groups of resilient contact-carrying strips 54, with headportions 55 for operating the contacts 58 when the pins are moved in onedirection and for cooperating with the plate 55 to limit the movement ofthe pins in the opposite direction. Normally, with no coin in thecurving portion 3| of any coin chute 29, the pins 63 extend into therespective coin chutes. While the cam arms 44 are rotating to cause thecam surfaces 45 and the rollers 43 to move the lugs 42 forwardly in therespective coin chutes 25, the cam surfaces 45 are adapted to swing theplate 55 downwardly to withdraw the pins from the coin chutes. A coin inthe curved portion 3| of'any coin chute, or each coin in some or all ofthe curved portions 5| of the coin chutes, isl engaged and movedforwardly by the corresponding lug or lugs 42 while the pins 53 arethuswithdrawn from the coin chutes.

After the return movement of the cam arms 44 to the position shown inFig. 6, the next token or coin can gravitate from the respective openupper ends 31 of the coin chutes into the curved portion or portions3|'. Thus, whenthe 'springs 52 swing the plate 55 upwardly, the token orcoin in each curving portion 3| of the coin chute will engage the upperend or ends of the respectively corresponding pins 63 and will stop themovement of the engaged pins to cause the head switch meansY which, as.already mentioned, may' portions 65 at their lower ends to close thecorresponding contacts 58, as shown in Fig. 6. The other pin or pins 63entering curving portions 3| without tokens or coins will not be soengaged and will not cause a closing of their corresponding contacts 58.

For receiving a token or coin from any aperture 21, or one. from each ofsome or all of the apertures 21,`and transferring it to and depositingit in the upper end 31 of the corresponding coin chute 29, novel means,preferably in the form of a pair of substantially inverted U-shapedassemblies 86 and 61, are pivotally arranged between the upright framemembers I I and I2. The assembly G6 comprises a pair of bars 1I and 12spaced apart by a plurality of strips 13 therebetween, spaced from oneanother longitudinally of the bars suiciently to provide a plurality ofpasages 14 corresponding in number and spacing to the apertures 21 andopen at their opposite ends. Those bars 1| and 12 are suitably securedat their opposite ends to the upper ends of a pair of supporting arms 15which are respectively pivoted at their lower ends on the inner ends ofpivot bolts or pins 1E anchored intermediate their ends in the framemembers II and I'2.

The assembly 58 is swingable, between a receiving position (Fig. 6) atwhich the passages 14 are respectively in alignment under the apertures21 and a depositing position (Fig. 10) at which the passages 14 arerespectively in alignment over the open upper ends 31 of the coin chutes29, by the assembly 91 and springs 11. Each spring 'i1 extends betweenthe outer end of a pin 18 extending outwardly through the aperture I8 inthe upright frame member from a rearwardly extending lug or projection19 intermediate the ends of each arm 15 and an outwardly extending pinor projection 8 I on each forwardly extending frame portion I5, I5. Theassembly 61 comprises a strap 82 provided with a plurality of apertures83 elongated and spaced longitudinally of the strap, a strip 84`adjustably secured by screws 85, passing through the elongated apertures83, to the rear face of the strap 82, and a pair of arms 89 pivoted attheir lower ends on the bolts 'i5 between the arms 15 and the respectiveframe members II and I2 and suitably secured at their upepr ends torearwardly extending end portions 81 at the opposite ends of the strap82 for supporting the strap 82 and the strip 84 forwardly adjacent theforward bar 1l of the assembly 68.

For retaining tokens or coins in the open ended passages 14 during themovement of the assembly 66` from its receiving position to itsdepositing position, the strip 84 is provided with a plurality of spacedcoin retaining fingers or projections 88, each of which extendsdownwardly and rearwardly through an aperture 819 in the forward bar 1Iand into one of the passages 14. As shown in Fig. 8, the apertures 89are larger than the fingers 88 to permit adjustment-thereof in theapertures longitudinally of the bars 1i. Thus by replacing the removableconnecting member 22 with coin receiving slots 21 of appropriate size,adjusting the fingers 88 in the apertures B9 to retain coins of thatsize in the passages 14, and replacing the removable strips l with thoseof a width to accommodate such coins, the novel control apparatus isadapted to handle tokens or coins of a different denomination or size.Intermediate the ends of each arm 86 a pin 9| is secured and extendsoutwardly therefrom through the aperture I8 in each frame member II andI2.' At its outer end each pin 9|' has secured thereto one end ofaspring 92, the other end of which is secured to the pin 8l for yieldablyholding the assembly 81 in its forward position with the pins 9! againstthe forward ends of the slots I9. The pins 9I outwardly of the framemembers II and I2 pass through arcuate slots 93 in arcuate links 94 forslidably and pivotally connecting the assembly 51 with the operatingmeans therefor.

Such operating means, as shown in Figs. 1 to 3, comprises a suitablehandle iixed on an end of the shaft 48 outwardly of the frame member I2for manual operation of the shaft Wherebyto move the assemblies 66 and61 to the coin depositing position relative to the open ends 31 of thecoin chutes, full stroke means controlling the angle of rotation of theshaft 48, and means for returning the shaft and handle after each fulloperating stroke of the handle.

As illustrated, the full stroke means includes a ratchet disc 95 fixedoutwardly of the frame members I I and I2 on each end of the shaft 48 torotate therewith. Each ratchet disc 96 is provided with al plurality ofratchet teeth 91 extending about a portion of its periphery between aslot 98 and an enlarged slot 99, and with an arcuate portion I9Iextending between the sides of the slots 98 and 99 respectively oppositethose defining the toothed portion, thus forming a shoulder |92 at theend of the slot 99 adjacent the arcuate portion IUI. The ratchet discsare pivotally connected as at |03 with the respective arcuate links 94and each disc 96 is associated with a rockable spring-held pawl I`94pivoted on each frame member II and I2.

Those pawls |84 are engageable with the ratchet teeth 91 when theratchet discs are rotated in either direction to prevent reversal of thedirection of rotation until the slots 98 or the slots 99 are broughtinto registration with the pawls. In other words, with the pawls in theslots 98, as shown in Fig. 1, the shaft 48 is rotatable by the handle 95in a clockwise direction against the action of the springs 41 to rotatethe ratchet discs 96 in a clockwise direction against the action of thesprings 92 through the angle separating those slots and the slots 99.During such rotation the pawls slidably engage the ratchet teeth 91 andcooperate therewith to prevent rotation of the discs 98 in the oppositedirection. When the slots 99, during such rotation, are brought intoregistration with the pawls E04, Athe springs of those pawls urge theminto the slots 99 and are yeldable to permit slidable engagement-betweenthepawls and ratchet teeth during the return movement of the ratchetdiscs 96.

Such return movement is effected by the springs 41 acting through theplate 39, the cam arms-44, and the shaft 48. During such returnmovement, the pawls also cooperate with the ratchet teeth to preventreversal of their rotation until the slots 98 are again brought intoregistration with the pawls, whereupon the springs of the pawls urgethem into the slots 9B to reset the pawls for subsequent operations ofthe ratchet discs by the handle 95. The arcuate apertures 93 in thelinks 94 permit idling movement of the links relative to the pins 9Iwhile the springs 41 are returning the plate 39 rearwardly to remove thelugs 42 from the coin chutes 29 and to drive the shaft 48, and hence theratchet discs 96 and the handle 95, toward their initial positions, asjust described.

Fixed on the shaft 48 to rotate therewith between each frame member IIand I2 and each ratchet disc 96 is an arm or cam 48a which is rockableto and from engagement with a stop or limitl pin 48h extending outwardlyfrom each frame member II and I2. The arms 48a in their normal positionsagainst the stop pins 46h extend forwardly and engage under the rearends of locking levers 6'ia which are respectively pivoted by screws orpins 6'Ib on the frame members II and I2 forwardly of the stop pins 48h.Each of those locking levers 61a is provided intermediate its ends witha shoulder 6'Ie for cooperating with the pins Si to releasably latch theassembly 6'! in its position forwardly adjacent the assembly 66 over theopen ends 3"! of the coin chutes 29 while the springs 4'! are returningthe plate 39 rearwardly to drive the shaft 48, the cam arms 44, thehandle 95, the ratchet discs 9i, and the arms 48h to their startingpositions.

In their normal positions the arms 6'!a are held against arms 48a by theaction of springs 61d out of the paths of the respective pins 0I.

When, however, the handle is operated tov rotate the shaft 48, the arms40a are moved away from engagement with the locking members 67a. whichare then yieldably urged against the then rearwardly moving pin 6I. Thesprings 61d move the locking levers 61C!l to the position of lockingengagement with the pins 9| when the assembly 67| reaches the positionshown in Fig. 1K0, at which the'pins have passed beyond the shoulders6'Ic. At the end of the return movement of the shaft 48 the arms 46arotating with the shaft engage the locking levers 61a and remove themfrom locking engagement with the pins 0| whereupon the springs S2 returnthe assembly 6'! to its forward 4position shown in Fig. 6.

The assembly 66 is automatically releasably locked in its rearward ordepositing position (Fig. while the assembly 6'! is being returned toits forward position by the springs 92 as just described, to remove thecoin retaining iingers 83 from the passages 'I4 so that any token orcoin or a plurality of tokens or coins in the passages 'I4 will bedeposited in the open ends 3'! of the coin chutes. To assure that everytoken or coin so deposited in the coin. chutes will reach their switchoperating positions therein before the pins 63 are moved inwardly of thecoin chutes, the plate 55 is releasably locked in the position at whichthe pins 63 are out of the coin chutes when the assembly 6'! is movedforwardly to release coins from the passages 74.

Novel means for so looking the assembly 66 in a position for depositingcoins in the coin chutes 29 comprises a pair of lugs |05 at oppositeends of the plate 55, and inverted L-shaped members |06 pivoted as at|01 at their lower ends on the frame members II and I2. Each member I 06has at its upper end a forwardly extending arm provided with a camsurface |08 and an upright arm provided between the pivot ID'I and theforwardly extending arm with a latching member |09, providing at itslower end a laterally extending flange orV projection I|| and at itsupper end a forwardly extending shoulder II2.

The rearwardly extending lugs 'I0 on the arms 'l5 in the coin receivingposition of the assembly A66 engage the cam surfaces |03 for yieldablyholding'the members |06 against the action of iii) springs II3 in aslightly rearwardly tilted position, as shown in Fig. 6. When the lugs19, swinging rearwardly with the assembly 66, pass beyond the forwardlyextending shoulders I|2, the springs II3 'swing the members |06forwardly, as shown in Fig. 10, to move the shoulders I|2 intoengagement with edge portions |I4 of the lugs 'I9 and to move theiiangesy III into engagement with the lugs |05. In that manner theassembly 66 is releasably locked in the depositing position shown inFig. 10 and the plate is positively held in such position that theswitch operating means 63 are outside of the respective coin chutes 20.Thus when the springs 92 return the assembly 6'! forwardly, the coinretaining lingers 88 are removed from the coin passages I4 in thereleasably locked assembly 66 for releasing any coins therein. VThereleased coin or coins will gravitate through the open lower ends of thepassages 'I4 into the open upper ends 3'! of the respective coin chutes29.

The releasably locked assembly 6'! is adapted to be released by the pins0I engaging the cam surfaces |08 during the return forward movement ofthe assembly 66 to tilt the members |06 rearwardly sui'ciently to causetheshoulders I I2 to disengage the lugs 'I0 and theflanges III todisengage the lugs |05. The springs 62 thereupon swing the releasedplate 55 upwardly to Y move the pins 63 into the coin chutes 29, causingeach coin so deposited in the curving portions 3| to actuate thecorresponding pin 63 whereby to operate its contacts 58 as alreadydescribed.

To prevent the springs TI from returning the assembly 66 from itsdepositing position (Fig.

10) to its receiving position (Fig. 6) too rapidly when it is released,a dash pot I|5 is pivoted on the forward frame extension l5, as shown at||6 in Figs. 1, 3, and 4. 'I'he dash pot II5 i-s provided with areciprocable plunger II'! pivotally connected as at I|8 to an arm of abell crank lever II9 which is pivotally mounted on the pin 76 and whichhas another arm pivotally connected to one of the arms 'I5 by the pin18.

The handle and the various means operable thereby are releasablylocked-to prevent operation thereof unless a coin has been deposited inat least one of the passages 14,- by novel means which will now bedescribed. A pair of levers |2| are pivoted by screws or other suitablemeans |22 to the upright portions I3 and I4 of the frame members II and2 respectively. Each lever`|2| extends rearwardly from itspivot and isbeveled at its rear end for cooperation with a roller |23 on eachratchet disc 96. Intermediate its ends each lever |2| has an upwardlyextending lug or projection |24 to the upper f.

end of which is secured one end of a yspring |25. The other end of eachspring I25`is secured to an arm |26 of a bell crank lever |21 pivoted bythe screwA I 22 to the upright frame member II, I2.

The bell crank levers I2'I- are yieldably held in the positions shown inFig. 1 by springs |28 respectively secured at their opposite ends to theupright frame members I I and I2 and the upper ends of bell crank leverarms |20. Those lever arms |20 are engageable with a closure plate I3!supported at its opposite ends below thce level of the connecting member22 by its end extensions |32 reciprocable in the slotsv |1 in the upperends of the frame portions ,I3y and I4, and by screws |34 in 'the framemember 22 forwardly against the action of springs |36 under the framemember 22 to close the coin receiving apertures 21 by the arms |29 ofthe bell crank levers |21 and is movable in the opposite direction bythe springs |36 to open those coin receiving apertures 21.

The arm |29 of each bell crank lever |21 is provided at its upper endwith a pin or projection |31 co-acting with novel latching means forpreventing the operation of the handle 95 unless a ,coin is in at leastone of the chambers 14. Such means comprises latch members or arms |38fixed on a rock shaft |39 journaled in the upright portions |3 and |4 ofthe frame members and I2 forwardly of the forward position of the strap82. Those .latch members |39 are at the opposite ends of the shaft |39outwardly of the frame members and |21 and extend rearwardly forengagement with the pins |31. AEach latch member |38 is provided at itsrear end with a slot |4| in its upper side and rearwardly adjacent theslot |4| with an upstanding projection having an inclined or camsurface.

The cam surfaces |42 normally are in engagement with the pins |31 tohold the latch members |38 in the position shown in Fig. 1 against theaction of springs |43. The slots I4! are adapted to receive the pins |31therein when an attempt is made to operate the handle 95 without a coinbeing in any of the passages 14, thus locking the arms |29 of the bellcrank levers against'forward movement. YIn that locked position of thebell crank levers the rear ends of their arms |26 are in the paths ofthe shoulders |92 provided on the ratchet discs 9B by the enlarged slots99 and will thus prevent rotation of those ratchet discs and hence ofthe handle 95.

To prevent moving the latching members |39 to their latching positionsas just described when a coin of proper denomination is in at least oneof the passages 14, the rock shaft |39 has xed Y thereto a plurality ofdepending feeler members |44 having rearwardly extending lower endportions' |45 and spaced along the shaft in respective alignment with aplurality of apertures |45 in the forward coin transferring bar 1| ofthe assembly 66. Each aperture |46 communicates with one of the passages14, and the feeler members |44 are rockable with the shaft |39 to movethe end portions |45 into and out of the respectivecha-mber passages 14.

During the operation of .the handle 95 to rotate the discs 99, therollers |23 will engage the beveled rear ends of the levers 12| and willcam those levers upwardly about the pivots |22. That motion istransmitted to the bell crank levers |21 by the springs .|25 to swingthebell crank lever varms |29 forwardly against the action of thesprings |28 and to move the arms |26 out of the path of the shoulders|92 where they are enga geable by the arcuate portions |9| of theratchet discs 96 and ride on those arcuate portions until the discs andhandle return to their starting position.

If a. coin of proper thickness or, in other words,

f denomination, is in at least one of the passages 14, it is thusengageable by the corresponding feeler end portion |45to preventrotation of the rock shaft |39 sufficiently to move the latching members|38` into latching engagement with the During such forward movement ofthe the closurey plate |3| and to close the apertures 21.

pins |31. Y arms |29 they engage: move it to a position 1f the coin orcoins in the assemblyv 6B are, of

improper thickness, or in other words of imagravios proper denomination,or if no coin is in any of the passages 14, the rock shaft |39 is freeto be rotated by the latching members |38 actuated by the springs |43when the pins |31 disengage the cam surfaces |42 until the pins |31engage in the slots |4|, thus locking the handle 95 against operation.

If a knife blade or other implement be inserted through the coinreceiving apertures 21 into one of the passages 14 in an attempt to holdthe feeler end portions |45 whereby to prevent rotation of the shaft |39and the latching member |38, and thereby to obtain a free operation ofthe control apparatus, the closure plate |3| will engage that knifeblade or implement and will be stopped in its forward movement to closethe apertures 21. Such stopping of the closure plate |3| prevents thearms |29 of the bell crank levers |21 from swinging forwardlysufficiently to remove the arms |29 out of the paths of the shoulders|92, and thus prevents operation of the handle 95.

For detecting and ejecting spurious coins such as magnetic slugs whichmay be of a diameter and thickness to adapt them for insertion into thepassages 14, and to prevent the locking action controlled by the feeler`end portions |45, novel means is provided and includes a transverse bar|41 which is slidably secured on a plurality of screws or otherelongated headed members |48 between the heads and the rearwardtransferring bar 12 of the assembly 99. The bar |41 is locatedrearwardly of and substantially parallel to the rearward bar 12 and isprovided at its opposite ends with extensions |49 projecting through theelongated apertures 2| in the frame members and I2 for connection withsuitable springs |5| adapted yieldably to hold the bar |41 in such aposition that the extensions |49 are in the forward ends of theapertures 2|.

The bar |41 carries at its rear face a plurality of magnets |52 securedthereon by iron or other magnetic screws |53, extending forwardly beyondthe bar |41 and respectively arranged in alignment with a plurality offlared apertures |54 in the rearward bar 12, and in communication withthe passages Y14. Thus during the first portion of the transferringmovement of the assemblies and 61, the screws |48 move through the bar|41, the springs |5| holding the bar |41 in its forward position. Inother words, the assembly 65 is moved rearwardly, bringing the magneticscrews |53 through the apertures |54 into proximity with a coin in anyof the passages 14. Thereafter the magnet-carrying bar |41 is moved withthe assemblies 66 and 91 against the action of the springs |5|.

The magnets, through the screws |53, serve to hold magnetic slugs whichmay have been inserted in any of the passages 14 after the retainingpins 88 have been removed therefrom to release genuine tokens or coinsinto the coin chutes 29. During the return movement of the assembly 65,the magnet-carrying bar |41 is moved with those bars by the springs |5|until the extensions |49 engage the forward ends of the respectiveapertures 2|. The magnets, meanwhile, hold the magnetic slug or slugs inthe passages 14. When, however, the extensions |49 engage the forwardends of the apertures 2|, the magnets and the bar |41 are stopped, butthe springs. 11 governed Aby the dash pot 5 continue the forwardmovement of the assembly 69, thus moving the magnetic slug. or slugsaway from the screws |53, thereby causing any such slug or '2,276,493slugs to be released. By reference to Fig. l6 it any similar device, theoperating cycle of which requires an appreciable time, it is desirableto provide means for preventing .subsequent operation vof the controlapparatus until the vending units controlled thereby have completedtheir Aoperating cycle, and .for thereafter automatically rendering thecontrol apparatus of the'invention operable. Such `means comprises, `asshown in Figs. 5, 6, and 10, a solenoid |55 secured as at |55 to theinner face of the upright frame member I2 .and having a reciprocableplunger |58, .and a link '|55 connecting the solenoid plunger |58 withan end of one of a pair of detents or levers IBI, .one such detent H5!being Xed at each end of a shaft |62 journaled at its opposite ends inthe frame members II and I2. The detents I5! ,are normally yieldablyheld against stop pins |63, as shown in Fig. 6, by springs |54, and .aremovable against the action of those springs when the solenoid |55 isenergized into the path of the closure plate ISI to hold it in closedposition.

Suitable switch means including a pair of electrical make-and-breakcontacts |55 isconnected `in'series with one of a pair of solenoidconductors for controlling or leads IE5 by conductors |51 the solenoid|55. Those contacts |55 are operable, as shown in Fig. 5, by means forclosing the contacts each time the discs 96 are operated, and foropening those contacts after apredetermined time, or, in other words,after completion of the operating cycle of the device controlled by thenovel control apparatus. Such means comprises any suitable timing meansshown diagrammatically at ISB in Figs. 3 and 5, which is energizablefrom one oi the discs 96 for a predetermined tim- .r

ing operation, a lever |59 operable by a pin `Ill on one ofthe discs 36for winding or otherwise energizing the timing means |58 during eachcoin transferring operation of the discs $5 Yand the .handle l95, andmeans I'l2 driven vby the timi? ing means |58 for closing and openingthe contacts |55.

As already suggested, the particular timing means forms no part of thepresent invention, and since many suitable timing means are well knownin the art, it is not disclosed in detail. Brieiy, the switch contacts|55 are normally held open, for example, against the resiliency of oneof those contacts by the means H2. During each coin transferringoperation of the ratchet ydiscs 9G, the pin Ill engages the lever |59.to wind or otherwise to energize the timing means |55 and to move themeans I'I2 away from the engaged contact |55, the resiliency of whichcauses it to move into electrical Contact with the other contact |55,closing the circuit for `energizing the solenoid |55. rlhe energizedtiming means |58 thereafter drives the means |'i'2 in .the oppositedirection for the predetermined period of time at the end of which themeans |12 engages the contact I 55 and moves it to the open position forbreaking the solenoid circuit. The ksprings |64 thereupon remove .the.detente ISI `out of the path of the closure plate I3| and the springs|36 75 return the closure plate to its tinitial position, opening Ythecoin .receiving `apertures 2 1.

.In normal operation of the control apparatus, a patron .drops one ormore proper .tokens or coins .in the coin passages V2'! for controlling.one

or more selected operable devices, such .as merchandise or amusementvending machines which are correlated each with one of .said passages.The insertion of a coin inany such passage vdis- `pla-ces therespectiveieeler member |45 (see Fig. `6) which shifts the shaft |39 and effectsthe release of a handle locking mechanism, that is, members |38 and |29to permit operation of the vhandlei. .As the handle is moved downwardly,

theshait 48 is osoillated through a given arc and the gcam .arm d4 movesfrom vthe position shown in Fig. `6to that shown in Fig. 10. Thismovement of the cam arm shifts .the plate 39 to the right as .shown inFig. 10 and the lugs or .fingers 152 thereby .advance the previously,deposited coins inthe respective coin chutes not advanced since the:deposition of the last coin therein. During such .movement of the lever95, the coin .transferring assemblies 56 andxIiI are also swungcounter-clockwise as viewed `in the ydrawings byy the describedmechanism toeilect the .transferiof a coinor coins therein to aAposition over the respective open or upper ends `3l of thecorresponding coinchutes. The `swinging of the member `5i to the coindelivering position enables the spring I3 to swing the latch I 55 fromthe slightly rearwardly inclined position of `vFig. 6 tothepositicnslnown in Fig. v10, which enables the .edge

I M of -mernber 'I9 to engage theshoulder |'|2-and latch the 'saidmember 26.15 in coin delivering position.

.Asthe handleis `released by the operator, it'is moved toward normal4orupright position bythe action of the spring t?, which also retractsthe plate 39 and the lingers '42 from the position .shown in Fig. l0 tothe position illustrated in Fig. 6. -The assembly will have been.latched in the coin depositing position against return movement bymeans of the latch member |55, and the assembly 5l will also .have beenlatchedlmomentarily, that is, during the return .stroke .of the handle95, in the coin delivering position by reason of the engagement of thelatch 67a with the pin 9|, which members are released by the member'a.as the handle approaches its normal or upright position.

r'Ihe assembly 51 then starts :its return movement to the normalposition under the action of the spring 92, the tokens or coins intherespective coin passages' M being thereupon released and dropped intothe open ends '37 -of the corresponding chutes Vand gravitate to theposition -orpositions indicated by the left-hand or uppermostcoin inFig. `6. Prior lto the dropping of the Acoin or coins as described, thepins 63 will have been retracted lor `moved downwardly from 4obstructingposition in the coin chutes by reason of the swinging `action-imparted'to the fp'late g55 y.by cam surfaces 45 oithefcam arms Aifi rand ltheplate will .be retained momentarily in the depressed position shown 'inFig. 10 by `reason ofthe engagement of the lug y|1335 withthe. flange|1|| of the member |55, said member i825 having .been

ment'o latch Sie@ releases the frame :member :55,

whichis then returned, under the control ofthe dash .pot M5, .to thenormaler vupright position by4 means of the spring 11. The rearward orcounter-clockwise movement of member |06 not only releases the frame 66as above mentioned, but also eiects the movement oi the flanges out ofthe path of the lugs |65, whereupon the spring ||3 swings the plate 55counter-clockwise from the position shown in Fig. 10 to the position ofFig. 6, thus causing the pin or pins 63 to engage a newly deposited coinor coins in the passages 38 for moving the contact arms 54 into circuitclosing relation. Concurrently with the movement of the handle J5 by theoperator to initiate the foregoing operations, the timer |68 will havebeen energized by the swinging movement of the arm |69, imparted theretoby the stud |1| carried by the disc 96. Such movement of the arm |69will have caused the member |12 to move to the left as viewed in Fig. 5to enable the contact arms |65 to close the circuit of the solenoid |55,which during its period of energization retains the latch |6| in theposition of Fig. 10 to retain the slidable plate |3| in coin-slotclosing position, to which closing position said plate will have beenmoved, as the handle 95 was initially swung downwardly by the operator,by reason of the upward swinging movement imparted to the latch member|24 by the roller |23 of the disc 95 and the accompanying clockwisemovement of the member |21, the arm |32 of which will have moved theplate |3| to the right, as viewed in Fig. 1.

As the timer |63 operates. the member |12 thereof will after apredetermined interval separate the contacts |65 and thereby open thecircuit of the solenoid, at which time the operating cycle of thecontrol device will have been completed. De-energization of the solenoidenables the spring |64 to move the latch members |6| to the inoperativeposition shown in Fig. 6, and permits the spring |36 to retract theplate |3| to open the coin passages 21, and enables the latch member |21to return to the position of 1, to prevent the operation of handle 95without rst inserting another coin.

While I have illustrated and described a preferred embodiment of myinvention, many modifications may be made without departing from thespirit of the invention, and I do not wish to be limited to the precisedetails of construction set forth, but desire to avail myself of allchanges within the scope of the appended claims.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new and desire tosecure by Letters Patent of the United States is:

1. In a control apparatus of the coin controlled class, a plurality ofcoin chutes having inlet openings, a member having a plurality of coinreceiving passages offset from and corresponding in number to the numberof chutes, means for moving said member to and from a depositingposition relative to said inlet openings, coin retaining means in eachsaid passage for retaining a coin therein until said member is in itsdepositing position, means for operating said retaining means to releasethe coin in said position, and fraud preventive means including meansfor releasing an improper coin from a passage at a position removed fromthe depositing position relative to the coin chute.

2. In control apparatus of the coin controlled type, a chute having acoin receiving opening, pivotally mounted coin receiving and carriermeans normally offset from said chute opening, said carrier meanscomprising a pair of coin engageable separable assemblies. means forswing ing said assemblies in unison to coin depositing position withrespect to said chute opening, and means for separating said assembliesto release a coin therein for deposition in said chute.

3. In control apparatus of the coin controlled type, a chute having acoin receiving opening, a

ivotally mounted coin receiver and carrier member normally oiset fromsaid chute opening, said member comprising a pair of separableassemblies provided with coin engageable means, means for swinging saidassemblies in unison to coin depositing relation with respect to saidchute opening, means for releasably locking one of said assemblies insaid depositing position, means for moving said other assembly away fromsaid locked assembly to release a coin therein for deposition in saidchute opening and return said unlocked assembly to original position,and means for releasing said locked assembly for return of the same tooriginal position.

4. In control apparatus of the coin controlled type, a chute having acoin receiving opening, a pivotally mounted coin receiver and carriermember normally offset from said chute opening, said member comprising apair of separable assemblies provided with coin engageable means, meansfor swinging said assemblies in unison to coin depositing relation withrespect to said chute opening, means for releasably locking one of saidassemblies in said depositing position, means for moving said otherassembly away from said locked assembly to release a coin therein fordeposition in said chute opening and return said unlocked assembly tooriginal position, and means operable by said unlocked assembly duringthe return movement thereof for releasing said locked assembly forreturn of the same to original position.

5. In control apparatus of the coin controlled type, a swingable coinreceiver, a coin chute, means for swinging the receiver with a cointherein to a position of said chute and arranged for depositing the coinin said chute, means for arresting the coin in a given position withinsaid chute, a movable switch comprising a member adapted to be projectedinto said chute within said given coin position, said switch beingarranged for operation by said member upon engagement of the latter witha coin in said chute, and means for moving said switch and member forprojecting said member into said chute into engagement with a coindeposited in said given position for operating the switch.

6. In a control apparatus of the coin controlled type, a coin chuteadapted to receive coins one at a time, means for moving a depositedcoin from a given position in said chute, means for arresting asubsequently deposited coin in said given position in said chute. aswingable coin receiver adapted to receive a coin, means for swingingsaid receiver to a position above said chute, means for releasing thecoin in said receiver for deposition in said given position in thechute, movable control means comprising circuit closing means and amember for operating said circuit closing means, and means for movingsaid control means in a direction to project said member into contactwith a coin in said given position in said chute for operatingthecircuit closing means.

1. In a coin controlled apparatus, a plurality of coin chutes eachprovided with means for arresting a coin in a given position therein, amovable member provided with switches each associated with one of saidchutes and each provided with a switch operating member adapted to bemoved into engagement with a coin in the given position of therespective chute for closing the corresponding switch, a movable coinreceiver provided with coin passages corresponding in number to thenumber of said chutes, mechanism for operating said coin receiver foreiecting the transfer of a coin or coins therein to the given positionor positions in the corresponding chute or chutes, and means foroperating said movable member for moving said switch closure membersinto engagement with the coin or coins in the said given position incorresponding chutes.

8. A coin controlled apparatus comprising a plurality of coin chuteseach provided with means for arresting a coin in a given positiontherein, each of said chutes being provided with an aperture for theadmission of a switch operating member into the chute for engagementwith a coin in said position therein, coin-receiving and transferringmeans provided with coin passages corresponding in number to the numberof said chutes, means for locking said coin receiving and transferringmeans in a given position, means operable by an inserted coin forreleasing said locking means, operating means for said coin receivingand transferring means for operating the same when unlocked foreffecting the transfer of one or more coins therein to the said positionor positions in the corresponding chutes, a movable member provided withswitches each associated with one of said chutes, each of said switcheshaving a switch operating member adapted to be moved by said movablemember through the aperture of the corresponding chute for engagementwith a coin in the said given position therein to eiect the closure ofthe respective switch, and mechanism controlled by said operating meansfor actuating said movable member following the deposit of a coin orcoins in said chute or chutes.

9. In a control apparatus of the coin controlled type, a plurality ofcoin chutes each provided with means for arresting a coin in a givenposition therein, a plurality of switches each operatively associatedwith one of said chutes, an actuating member for each switch adapted tobe moved into engagement with a coin in the respective given position inthe corresponding chute to operate the respective switch, mechanismhaving coin recesses for receiving coins and being operable fortransferring each of the same into said given position of the associatedchute, locking means for said mechanism provided with a member in eachrecess and each being operable by a coin in the corresponding recess forunlocking said locking means, means for operating said coin receivingand transferring mechanism when 4released by an inserted coin, and meansoperable by said operating means for effecting the movement of saidswitch actuating members for causing engagement of the same with coinstransferred into the respective given positions in said chutes foreiecting the closure of the corresponding switches.

ALLEN T. JOZE.

